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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
MY COLOUR

Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 230/2/11

15 May 2004

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 126/2004

European Union (EU) * :Regulation on Detergents

The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have adopted a Regulation consolidating and updating the rules on detergents. The objective is to ensure a high degree of protection of the environment and human health. Details are set out in Regulation (EC) No. 648/2004 (the Regulation), a copy of which is attached (pdf format) to this circular for reference. The Regulation will enter into force on 8 October 2005.

DETAILS

  1. The Regulation mainly sets out the requirements on the biodegradability and labelling of detergents. Under the Regulation, detergent is defined as "any substance or preparation containing soaps and/or other surfactants intended for washing and cleaning processes". In addition, auxiliary washing preparations, laundry fabric-softener, cleaning preparations and washing preparations are considered as detergents. Salient points of the Regulations are set out below:

    Biodegradability of surfactants in detergents

    1. the Regulation introduces a series of tests to determine the biodegradability of surfactants in detergents. Detergents which do not meet the set standards could not be placed in the Community market unless granted with derogation; and

    Labelling requirements

    1. the Regulation requires specific information such as the name and trade name of the product to be provided on the packaging. It is also mandatory to indicate the content of detergents, including the presence of preservation agents and allergenic fragrances. In case of laundry detergents sold to the general public, there is an additional requirement to provide dosage information on the packaging.

ENQUIRIES

  1. For enquiries about the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5684.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Sandra SOU)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

* : The EU includes Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.



  • While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.